State Legislators Asked to Drop Proposed Bill That Would Allow Sunday Hunting

PETA Calls for Reprieve for Animals on ‘God’s Day’

For Immediate Release:
June 22, 2015

Contact:
Lindsay Rajt 202-483-7382

Following news that Pennsylvania state Reps. Frank Farina and Robert Godshall plan to introduce legislation authorizing hunting on eight to 12 Sundays each year in Pennsylvania, Jesus People for Animals—PETA’s Christian outreach division—dispatched a letter to the legislators this morning calling on them to uphold the long-standing ban on hunting on the Sabbath.

In its letter, Jesus People for Animals—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that God set Sunday aside as a day of rest for all living beings and that allowing animals a reprieve from the continuous trauma of being hunted affords constituents the opportunity to appreciate nature in nonviolent ways.

“Jesus People for Animals hopes legislators will ensure that Pennsylvania’s wildlife, who are part of God’s creation, get at least one day of rest per week,” says Jesus People for Animals Director Sarah Withrow King. “When hunting days are extended, it increases the number of injuries and deaths—of both wildlife and human beings.”

For more information, please visit JesusPeopleForAnimals.com.

PETA’s letter to Pennsylvania state Reps. Frank Farina and Robert Godshall follows.

June 22, 2015

The Honorable Frank Farina
The Honorable Robert Godshall
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Dear Messrs. Farina and Godshall,

I’m writing on behalf of Jesus People for Animals, PETA’s Christian outreach division, regarding your bill to allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to authorize hunting on eight to 12 Sundays each year, thereby overturning a long-standing statewide ban on hunting on the Sabbath. While Jesus People for Animals opposes hunting God’s creatures on any day of the week, we hope you’ll drop the proposed bill and ensure that Pennsylvania’s wildlife get at least one day of rest every week.

As you know, many people in your state have voiced opposition to this bill. Monday through Saturday, animals are forced to run for their lives. Animal families are torn apart, and many animals are badly injured when hunters miss their targets. The terror of being stalked and ambushed causes hunted animals to endure tremendous stress, and gunfire disturbs otherwise peaceful communities. According to the International Hunter Education Association, dozens of human deaths and hundreds of injuries also result from hunting in the U.S. every year. Increasing the number of hunting days, like increasing the speed limit on a highway, would lead to more accidents and deaths.

Sunday remains the one day on which animals in Pennsylvania are able to live their lives as God intended, in peace. Won’t you affirm the beauty of His work by maintaining this modest ban and encourage your constituents to celebrate the natural world through hiking, photography, rafting, and other pursuits that don’t come at the expense of a life?

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Sarah Withrow King
Director of Christian Outreach and Engagement